MISSOURI CITY, Texas — Texas educates more Black students than any other state, yet majority-Black campuses remain disproportionately represented among schools receiving the state’s lowest academic ratings.
Of roughly 300 majority-Black schools evaluated last year, 35% received a D or F from the Texas Education Agency. Only 20 earned an A. By comparison, no majority-Asian campuses received a D or F, while 8% of majority-white and 19% of majority-Hispanic schools received those grades.
Those disparities are forcing difficult choices for families such as Mikole Montgomery’s. Her sixth-grade son, Jaleel, will attend the new Amy Coleman Middle School in Fort Bend ISD, which offers specialized aviation, aerospace and engineering programs, rather than nearby Missouri City Middle School, a majority-Black campus that received an F.
Researchers argue the ratings reflect more than individual student performance. Majority-Black schools often contend with fewer resources, weaker access to advanced courses, higher student mobility and difficulty attracting and retaining experienced teachers. Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath acknowledges persistent achievement gaps but argues the A-F system helps identify schools requiring intervention.
The consequences can become self-reinforcing. Texas funds schools partly through attendance, meaning campuses lose money as families leave. That can further reduce academic opportunities for students whose parents cannot choose another school.
Fort Bend ISD says it evaluates resources and student needs across campuses and remains committed to equitable opportunities. The district improved to a B overall in the state’s 2025 accountability system.
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